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Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society | Ali Kingston Mwila,IICFIP,ITIL®,PDE,BIT,ADipPM | Pulse | LinkedIn

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Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society | Ali Kingston Mwila,IICFIP,ITIL®,PDE,BIT,ADipPM | Pulse | LinkedIn

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The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families | From the American Academy of Pediatrics | Pediatrics

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The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families | From the American Academy of Pediatrics | Pediatrics

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Abstract

Using social media Web sites is among the most common activity of today's children and adolescents. Any Web site that allows social interaction is considered a social media site, including social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter; gaming sites and virtual worlds such as Club Penguin, Second Life, and the Sims; video sites such as YouTube; and blogs. Such sites offer today's youth a portal for entertainment and communication and have grown exponentially in recent years. For this reason, it is important that parents become aware of the nature of social media sites, given that not all of them are healthy environments for children and adolescents. Pediatricians are in a unique position to help families understand these sites and to encourage healthy use and urge parents to monitor for potential problems with cyberbullying, "Facebook depression," sexting, and exposure to inappropriate content.

SOCIAL MEDIA USE BY TWEENS AND TEENS

Engaging in various forms of social media is a routine activity that research has shown to benefit children and adolescents by enhancing communication, social connection, and even technical skills. Social media sites such as Facebook and MySpace offer multiple daily opportunities for connecting with friends, classmates, and people with shared interests. During the last 5 years, the number of preadolescents and adolescents using such sites has increased dramatically. According to a recent poll, 22% of teenagers log on to their favorite social media site more than 10 times a day, and more than half of adolescents log on to a social media site more than once a day. Seventy-five percent of teenagers now own cell phones, and 25% use them for social media, 54% use them for texting, and 24% use them for instant messaging. Thus, a large part of this generation's social and emotional development is occurring while on the Internet and on cell phones.

Because of their limited capacity for self-regulation and susceptibility to peer pressure, children and adolescents are at some risk as they navigate and experiment with social media. Recent research indicates that there are frequent online expressions of offline behaviors, such as bullying, clique-forming, and sexual experimentation, that have introduced problems such as cyberbullying, privacy issues, and "sexting." Other problems that merit awareness include Internet addiction and concurrent sleep deprivation.

Many parents today use technology incredibly well and feel comfortable and capable with the programs and online venues that their children and adolescents are using. Nevertheless, some parents may find it difficult to relate to their digitally savvy youngsters online for several reasons. Such parents may lack a basic understanding of these new forms of socialization, which are integral to their children's lives. They frequently do not have the technical abilities or time needed to keep pace with their children in the ever-changing Internet landscape. In addition, these parents often lack a basic understanding that kids' online lives are an extension of their offline lives. The end result is often a knowledge and technical skill gap between parents and youth, which creates a disconnect in how these parents and youth participate in the online world together.

BENEFITS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS USING SOCIAL MEDIA

RISKS OF YOUTH USING SOCIAL MEDIA

Using social media becomes a risk to adolescents more often than most adults realize. Most risks fall into the following categories: peer-to-peer; inappropriate content; lack of understanding of online privacy issues; and outside influences of third-party advertising groups.

PRIVACY CONCERNS AND THE DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

The main risk to preadolescents and adolescents online today are risks from each other, risks of improper use of technology, lack of privacy, sharing too much information, or posting false information about themselves or others. These types of behavior put their privacy at risk.

When Internet users visit various Web sites, they can leave behind evidence of which sites they have visited. This collective, ongoing record of one's Web activity is called the "digital footprint." One of the biggest threats to young people on social media sites is to their digital footprint and future reputations. Preadolescents and adolescents who lack an awareness of privacy issues often post inappropriate messages, pictures, and videos without understanding that "what goes online stays online." As a result, future jobs and college acceptance may be put into jeopardy by inexperienced and rash clicks of the mouse. Indiscriminate Internet activity also can make children and teenagers easier for marketers and fraudsters to target.

INFLUENCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS ON BUYING

Many social media sites display multiple advertisements such as banner ads, behavior ads (ads that target people on the basis of their Web-browsing behavior), and demographic-based ads (ads that target people on the basis of a specific factor such as age, gender, education, marital status, etc) that influence not only the buying tendencies of preadolescents and adolescents but also their views of what is normal. It is particularly important for parents to be aware of the behavioral ads, because they are common on social media sites and operate by gathering information on the person using a site and then targeting that person's profile to influence purchasing decisions. Such powerful influences start as soon as children begin to go online and post. Many online venues are now prohibiting ads on sites where children and adolescents are participating. It is important to educate parents, children, and adolescents about this practice so that children can develop into media-literate consumers and understand how advertisements can easily manipulate them.

ON TOO YOUNG: MIXED MESSAGES FROM PARENTS AND THE LAW

Many parents are aware that 13 years is the minimum age for most social media sites but do not understand why. There are 2 major reasons. First, 13 years is the age set by Congress in the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which prohibits Web sites from collecting information on children younger than 13 years without parental permission. Second, the official terms of service for many popular sites now mirror the COPPA regulations and state that 13 years is the minimum age to sign up and have a profile. This is the minimum age to sign on to sites such as Facebook and MySpace. There are many sites for preadolescents and younger children that do not have such an age restriction, such as Disney sites, Club Penguin, and others.

It is important that parents evaluate the sites on which their child wishes to participate to be sure that the site is appropriate for that child's age. For sites without age stipulations, however, there is room for negotiation, and parents should evaluate the situation via active conversation with their preadolescents and adolescents.

In general, if a Web site specifies a minimum age for use in its terms of service, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages that age to be respected. Falsifying age has become common practice by some preadolescents and some parents. Parents must be thoughtful about this practice to be sure that they are not sending mixed messages about lying and that online safety is always the main message being emphasized.

THE ROLE OF PEDIATRICIANS

Pediatricians are in a unique position to educate families about both the complexities of the digital world and the challenging social and health issues that online youth experience by encouraging families to face the core issues of bullying, popularity and status, depression and social anxiety, risk-taking, and sexual development. Pediatricians can help parents understand that what is happening online is an extension of these underlying issues and that parents can be most helpful if they understand the core issues and have strategies for dealing with them whether they take place online, offline, or, increasingly, both.

Some specific ways in which pediatricians can assist parents include:

1. Advise parents to talk to their children and adolescents about their online use and the specific issues that today's online kids face.

2. Advise parents to work on their own participation gap in their homes by becoming better educated about the many technologies their youngsters are using.

3. Discuss with families the need for a family online-use plan that involves regular family meetings to discuss online topics and checks of privacy settings and online profiles for inappropriate posts. The emphasis should be on citizenship and healthy behavior and not punitive action, unless truly warranted.

4. Discuss with parents the importance of supervising online activities via active participation and communication, as opposed to remote monitoring with a "net-nanny" program (software used to monitor the Internet in the absence of parents).

In addition, the AAP encourages all pediatricians to increase their knowledge of digital technology so that they can have a more educated frame of reference for the tools their patients and families are using, which will aid in providing timely anticipatory media guidance as well as diagnosing media-related issues should they arise.

To assist families in discussing the more challenging issues that kids face online, pediatricians can provide families with reputable online resources, including "Social Media and Sexting Tips" from the AAP ( www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/june09socialmedia.htm), the AAP Internet safety site ( http://safetynet.aap.org), and the AAP public education site, HealthyChildren.org ( www.healthychildren.org/english/search/pages/results.aspx?Type=Keyword&Keyword=Internet+safety), and encourage parents to discuss these resources with their children. Pediatricians with Web sites or blogs may wish to create a section with resources for parents and children about these issues and may suggest a list of or links to social media sites that are appropriate for the different age groups. In this way, pediatricians can support the efforts of parents to engage and educate youth to be responsible, sensible, and respectful digital citizens.

Lead Authors

Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, MD

Kathleen Clarke-Pearson, MD

Council on Communications and Media Executive Committee, 2010-2011

Deborah Ann Mulligan, MD, Chairperson

Tanya Remer Altmann, MD

Ari Brown, MD

Dimitri A. Christakis, MD

Kathleen Clarke-Pearson, MD

Holly Lee Falik, MD

David L. Hill, MD

Marjorie J. Hogan, MD

Alanna Estin Levine, MD

Kathleen G. Nelson, MD

Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, MD

Past Executive Committee Members

Benard P. Dreyer, MD

Gilbert L. Fuld, MD, Immediate Past Chairperson

Victor C. Strasburger, MD

Liaisons

Michael Brody, MD

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Brian Wilcox, PhD

American Psychological Association

Staff

Gina Ley Steiner

Veronica Laude Noland, cocm{at}aap.org

Footnotes

This document is copyrighted and is property of the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Board of Directors. All authors have filed conflict of interest statements with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Any conflicts have been resolved through a process approved by the Board of Directors. The American Academy of Pediatrics has neither solicited nor accepted any commercial involvement in the development of the content of this publication.

The guidance in this report does not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate.

All clinical reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics automatically expire 5 years after publication unless reaffirmed,revised, or retired at or before that time.

View Abstract

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The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families

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Using social media Web sites is among the most common activity of today's children and adolescents. Any Web site that allows social interaction is considered a social media site, including social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter; gaming sites and virtual worlds such as Club Penguin, Second Life, and the Sims; video sites such as YouTube; and blogs.

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Internet addiction in students: a cause of concern. - PubMed - NCBI

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Internet addiction in students: a cause of concern. - PubMed - NCBI

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Internet addiction in students: a cause of concern. - PubMed - NCBI

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Cyberpsychol Behav. 2003 Dec;6(6):653-6. Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

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Signs and Symptoms of Internet or Computer Addiction

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Signs and Symptoms of Internet or Computer Addiction

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The Internet has made life a lot easier by making information more accessible to all and creating connections with different people around the world. However, it has also led a lot of people to spend too much time in front of the computer, so much so that it becomes the center of their lives. This can lead to an Internet or computer addiction.

Computer/Internet Addiction Symptoms, Causes and Effects

An Internet or computer addiction is the excessive use of the former or the latter. The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) actually includes it as a disorder that needs further study and research. In a publication on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website, the study, which was conducted by the Department of Adult Psychiatry in the Poland Medical University, showed that Internet addiction was seen to be quite popular and common among young people, especially those who were only children. In fact, every fourth child is addicted to the Internet. This is an alarming statistic that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

Are There Different Types of Computer or Internet Addictions?

Internet or computer addictions manifest in several ways that cover various degrees and areas of Internet usage. They are the following:

Information overload. Too much online surfing leads to decreased productivity at work and fewer interactions with family members.

Compulsions. Excessive time spent in online activities such as gaming, trading of stocks, gambling and even auctions often leads to overspending and problems at work.

Cybersex addiction. Too much surfing of porn sites often affects real-life relationships.

Cyber-relationship addiction. Excessive use of social networking sites to create relationships rather than spending time with family or friends may destroy real-life relationships.

These are the most commonly observed types of Internet addiction. If you or someone you know is suffering from this kind of addiction, you don't have to face it on your own. We can help you. Just call at any time to speak to one of our trained advisors.

What Causes an Addiction to Computers or the Web?

Whenever Internet addicts feel overwhelmed, stressed, depressed, lonely or anxious, they use the Internet to seek solace and escape. Studies from the University of Iowa show that Internet addiction is quite common among males ages 20 to 30 years old who are suffering from depression.

Certain people are predisposed to having a computer or Internet addiction, such as those who suffer from anxiety and depression. Their lack of emotional support means they turn to the Internet to fill this need. There are also those who have a history of other types of addiction, such as addictions to alcohol, drugs, sex and gambling. Even being stressed and unhappy can contribute greatly to the development of a computer or Internet addiction. People who are overly shy and cannot easily relate to their peers are also at a higher risk of developing a computer or Internet addiction.

What Are the Signs of an Online Addiction Problem?

An addiction to the Internet is manifested in both physical and emotional symptoms; however, these specifics may vary for each person. These are basically warning signals that an addiction may be developing. If you feel that you or a loved one has these symptoms, it is not yet too late. All it takes is a phone call to and we can help you.

Emotional Symptoms of Online Addiction

The following symptoms are typical of online addicts:

Physical Symptoms of Online Addiction

The following symptoms are characteristic of someone who uses the computer for a very long period of time:

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of an Online Addiction

The short-term effects of an online addiction include unfinished tasks, forgotten responsibilities and weight gain. Long-term effects are seen more in the physical symptoms such as backache, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and vision problems from staring at the screen. It can also lead to bankruptcy, especially if the time spent online is focused on shopping, gambling and gaming.

According to Oberlin College of Computer Science, aside from being dependent on the Internet, addicts may develop technostress wherein they internalize how a computer works, such as accelerated time and perfect results. It can also cause social withdrawal, feeling more at ease interacting with people online rather than in person.

Is There a Test or Self-Assessment I Can Do?

A lot of studies and surveys are being conducted to measure the extent of this type of addiction. Dr. Kimberly S. Young has created a questionnaire based on other disorders to assess levels of addiction. It is the Internet Addict Diagnostic Questionnaire or IADQ. Answering positively to five out of the eight questions may be indicative of an online addiction. Here are the questions:

Are you preoccupied with using the Internet? Do you think about your previous or future online activity?

Do you have the need to be online longer to be satisfied?

Have you made repeated but unsuccessful attempts to cut back, stop or control your Internet use?

Do you become moody, restless, irritable or depressed when you stop or decrease your Internet use?

Is your time spent online longer than what you originally planned?

Did your online use negatively affect a significant relationship, education, career or job?

Do you conceal the extent of your Internet usage from your therapist, family or others?

Does the Internet serve as an escape from problems or relief from a bad mood?

Medication: Are There Drug Options for Internet/Computer Addictions?

These addictions may be triggered by underlying emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety, so medications used for those conditions can be given in the hope that treating the underlying cause will cause a cessation of the Internet or computer addiction. These medications are antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs.

Drugs: Possible Options

When the addiction gets out of control, medications are sometimes needed to keep Internet addicts from harming themselves by staying online too long. Escitalopram is a drug option that has been shown to be effective for Internet addiction, according to studies by Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Medication Side Effects

As with all other medications for psychological disorders, taking a medication for online addiction may cause adverse side effects. It's important to consult with your doctor regarding any potential side effects prior to starting any medication.

Antidepressant Drug Addiction, Dependence and Withdrawal in Online Addicts

Taking an antidepressant for an online addiction may also lead to dependence on this medication. Withdrawal from an antidepressant should always be gradual and under medical supervision as is done with people who are being treated for depression.

Medication Overdose

The taking of medications should always be monitored and dispensed by a qualified health professional. Overdose of these medications may lead to further complications and can be extremely harmful.

Depression and Online Addiction

Depression is seen to be a risk factor and cause for online addiction. Treating depression may lessen the chance that an online addiction will occur.

Dual Diagnosis: Online Addiction and Substance Abuse

An Internet addiction and substance abuse often go hand in hand with each other. Most of the time, those who abuse alcohol or drugs are those with the predisposition to get addicted to the Internet as it serves as a means of escape from reality.

A study from Swansea and Milan Universities shows that when Internet addicts go offline or stop using the computer, they experience withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced by drug addicts. This shows that these addictions are often interrelated.

Getting Help for an Internet Addiction

Any addiction is no laughing matter. It affects not only the addict but also everyone who surrounds them. If you think you need help for internet or computer addiction, or someone you know needs assistance to stop this addiction, we can help. Just call . We are here to help you get back on the road to an addiction-free life.

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Signs and Symptoms of Internet or Computer Addiction

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The Internet has made life a lot easier by making information more accessible to all and creating connections with different people around the world. However, it has also led a lot of people to spend too much time in front of the computer, so much so that it becomes the center of their lives.

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Causes of Internet Addiction - Internet Addiction - Addictions | HealthyPlace

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Causes of Internet Addiction - Internet Addiction - Addictions | HealthyPlace

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Theories about causes of Internet addiction and whether addiction to the Internet is similar to drug addiction or is it a tool to self-medicate symptoms of a mental disorder.
No one knows what causes a person to develop an addiction to the Internet, but there are several factors that have been proposed as contributing to the causes of Internet addiction.

What Causes Internet Addiction?

Internet addiction can be understood by comparing it to other types of addictions. Individuals addicted to alcohol or addicted to drugs, for example, develop a relationship with their "chemical(s) of choice" -- a relationship that takes precedence over any and all other aspects of their lives. Addicts find they need drugs merely to feel normal.

In Internet addiction, a parallel situation exists. The Internet -- like food or drugs in other addictions -- provides the "high" and addicts become dependent on this cyberspace high to feel normal. They substitute unhealthy relationships for healthy ones. They opt for temporary pleasure rather than the deeper qualities of "normal" intimate relationships. Internet addiction follows the same progressive nature of other drug addictions. Internet addicts struggle to control their behaviors, and experience despair over their constant failure to do so. Their loss of self-esteem grows, fueling the need to escape even further into their addictive behaviors. A sense of powerlessness pervades the lives of addicts.

Learn more about Signs of Internet Addiction.

Self-Medication: A Cause of Internet Addiction

Another possible cause of Internet addiction is that someone who has one addiction may be prone to become addicted to other substances or activities, including Internet use. People with other mental disorders or symptoms as depression, feelings of isolation, stress or anxiety, may "self-medicate" by using the Internet in the same way that some people use alcohol or abuse drugs to self-medicate the symptoms of their mental disorder.

One question that has not yet been answered concerning Internet addiction is whether it is a distinctive type of addiction or simply an instance of a new technology being used to support other addictions. For example, there are gambling casinos on the Internet that could reinforce a person's pre-existing gambling addiction. Similarly, someone addicted to shopping could transfer their addiction from the local mall to online stores. Persons addicted to certain forms of sexual behavior can visit pornography sites on the Internet or use chat rooms as a way to meet others who might be willing to participate in those forms of behavior. Researchers may need to determine whether there is such a disorder as "pure" Internet addiction.

Ed. Note: Internet addiction disorder is not listed in the mental health professional's handbook, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV).

Sources:

Dr. Kimberly Young, Center for Online Addiction

next: Treatment for Internet Addiction
~ all internet addiction articles
~ all articles on addictions

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Causes of Internet Addiction - Internet Addiction - Addictions | HealthyPlace

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Theories about causes of Internet addiction and whether addiction to the Internet is similar to drug addiction or is it a tool to self-medicate symptoms of a mental disorder. No one knows what causes a person to develop an addiction to the Internet, but there are several factors that have been proposed as contributing to the causes of Internet addiction.

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Spending too many beautiful days on the computer can be a bad sign.

There are no clear-cut definitions or defined causes of Internet addiction. Mainly this is because internet addiction is a newer phenomenon; there are not many precedents. However, that doesn't mean that someone can't have an addiction. As more research is completed around this topic it's likely some clear-cut causes will emerge.

How is Internet Addiction Defined

As noted above, there are few actual researched-based definitions available. Additionally, you can divide Internet addictions into categories - like online shopping addictions, an online gambling addiction, or cyber sex addiction.

That said, at the root of every addiction, whether it's drugs, food, or computer addiction, there's a common factor that suggests that the addiction is indeed an addiction, and not just a habit. That common factor is that the habit creates a negative impact on the person's regular life. A real addiction negatively affects home life, interpersonal relationships, work, and emotional health. Often an addiction will negatively impact a person's physical health as well.

Some signs of internet addiction according to the The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery (IIAR) include:

A large preoccupation with being online. Often an individual will think a lot about their last session online, and be excited about the next time they can access the Web.

An individual needs to use the Internet more frequently to get satisfaction from the activity.

Feeling bored, upset, restless, moody, depressed or anxiety-ridden when they can't be online.

Becoming angry when someone needs the computer or refusing to share time - most common in households where there are shared computers.

Forgets all about time when online.

Can't stop getting online, no matter how hard they try.

compulsive lying to friends and family about time spent online.

Puts a job, relationship, or other responsibility at risk in order to continue to spend time online. For example, a person may cancel a date, miss a family dinner, or forget a work meeting because of their computer time.

Uses the Internet to escape frequently. In some cases the Internet may be the only activity that calms an addicted and agitated person down.

When online, or after an online session a person may feel a sense of manic depression, guilt, anxiety, or hopelessness.

There's a simple Internet Addiction Test (IAT) offered by the Center for Internet Addiction Recovery. This test is easy to take and can point out if you, or someone you love, may have an addiction problem with the Internet. They have a few more good quizzes available as well, including, a Quiz for Obsessive Online Gambling and a Cybersexual Addiction Quiz.

Some Causes of Internet Addiction

While more research needs to be completed about why people become addicted to the Internet, there are some known causes of Internet addiction. Causes can vary by age, gender, and of course, personality.

Social Causes

Some people become addicted to the Internet because of the social connections they make online. Some online relationship activity can be useful and healthy, and many people utilize forums for advice or chats for relaxation, but when a person has many close online friends and no one to count on in the real world, problems can develop.

An Internet addicted individual though, will develop highly emotional attachments to online pals or even online dates. Online relationships are attractive to some because it can feel less risky than meeting live people in person. Online friends allow people to escape their real lives and possibly fulfill their needs for emotional contacts that they don't get in real life.

Some who are addicted to online relationships may even create pretend personalities or personas of themselves. This is actually a dangerous practice because often the people who create these fake lives are already low on self-esteem or desperately seeking the approval of others. Instead of seeking real help, say from a counselor, these individuals just re-make themselves online, while changing nothing about their real offline lives. This can lead to increased symptoms of depression and feelings of inadequacy.

Personality Trait Causes

One interesting paper on Internet addiction notes that some people may be predisposed to online addictions; much like one can be predisposed to an alcohol addiction. What the paper points out is that someone with the right mix of an addictive personality, life stressors, and poor emotional health could get addicted if the Internet happens to also fall into their life during this time.

Along with the previous example are people who may become addicted because the internet reinforces a positive feeling. For example, a wife not getting her emotional needs met by her husband, may hop online and find friendly sites and people willing to talk. Each time she has an issue with her husband there are positives to getting online. This reinforces the hold the Internet can have on someone.

Support for People Addicted to the Internet

Your best support may come from your personal doctor. He or she may be able to pinpoint why you personally have become addicted and can offer suggestions for support and even medication to treat the underlying causes of Internet addiction. For example, your doctor may prescribe anti-anxiety medication so you will find meeting people in real life less stressful.

The Center for Internet Addiction Recovery has a blog about recovery. It's a little odd that a recovery method for an Internet addiction is online, but this blog does also point out other good resources and organizations.

Internet-a-holics Anonymous offers both online and offline treatment options.

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There are no clear-cut definitions or defined causes of Internet addiction. Mainly this is because internet addiction is a newer phenomenon; there are not many precedents. However, that doesn't mean that someone can't have an addiction. As more research is completed around this topic it's likely some clear-cut causes will emerge.

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Reviews & Age Ratings - Best Movies, Books, Apps, Games for Kids

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Reviews & Age Ratings - Best Movies, Books, Apps, Games for Kids

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Common Sense Media: Age-Based Media Reviews for Families

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Common Sense Media is the leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families. Parents trust our expert reviews and objective advice.

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The History of Social Media [INFOGRAPHIC]

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The History of Social Media [INFOGRAPHIC]

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From the first e-mail to the domination of Facebook, social media has come a long way, baby.

Here's a visually organized look at the past 30 years or so of social media history, from Usenet to AIM to Friendster and beyond. This particular infographic comes with some fun facts; for example, did you know that the first version of MySpace was coded in just 10 days?

Whether this is a walk down memory lane or entirely new information for you, we hope you'll enjoy this infographic, which was created by OnlineSchools.org. You can also check out our infographics on Facebook facts, online dating and our general obsession with social media.

In the comments, tell us where you set up your first "social" online account and where or when you think social media truly began.
Lead image courtesy of Flickr, rishibando.

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The History of Social Media [INFOGRAPHIC]

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From the first e-mail to the domination of Facebook, social media has come a long way, baby. Here's a visually organized look at the past 30 years or so of social media history, from Usenet to AIM to Friendster and beyond.

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Social Media Addiction – Statistics And Trends

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Social Media Addiction – Statistics And Trends

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Everyone is using social media these days - right from young kids to corporate bigwigs to senior citizens. In fact, social media sees an estimated number of active users to the tune of 2.03 billion. Globally, social media has penetrated about 28% of the populace. It's hard to resist social media and the chance it offers of connecting with the world at large while maintaining a level of anonymity. Social Networking Accounts for 28% of all Media Time Spent Online

Check out our infographic, 'Social Media Addiction - Statistics and Trends" for an in-depth look into the various social media platforms that are available, and how they are being used by the world's populace. We've also put together other subject-relevant facts that you might find interesting.
Infographic by GO Globe - Singapore Web Design Company To Publish this Image on your Blog or Website . Copy this code
Estimated Number Of Active Social Media Users (In Millions)

Users between the ages of 15 to 19 spend at least 3 hours a day on average on social media, while users between the ages of 20 to 29 spend about 2 hours on their social media accounts.

According to Facebook, the company's 1.23 billion users log into the site for an average of 17 minutes each day. In total, that's more than 39,757 years of our time collectively spent on Facebook in a single day.

18% of social media users can't go a few hours without checking Facebook

16% of people rely on Twitter or Facebook for their morning news

7.4 is the average number of social/communication apps that smartphone users have on their phones

5 million images are uploaded daily on Instagram

More than 500 million tweets are sent out per day by users

The Google +1 button is pressed 5 billion times a day by users

LinkedIn signs on 2 new members up every second

The average visitor spends 15 minutes a day on YouTube

Between 60% and 80% of people time on Internet of work has nothing to do with work

Of iPhone users, 28% check their Twitter feed before getting up in the morning.

It's estimated that the average American spends nearly one quarter of their work day browsing social media for non-work related activities.

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Social Media Addiction - Statistics And Trends

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Everyone is using social media these days - right from young kids to corporate bigwigs to senior citizens. In fact, social media sees an estimated number of active users to the tune of 2.03 billion. Globally, social media has penetrated about 28% of the populace.

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Break Free From Your Social Media Addiction - Real Simple

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Break Free From Your Social Media Addiction - Real Simple

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Photo by Jamie Chung

Understand That You're Being Played

An embarrassingly heavy social-media habit isn't entirely your fault. "Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter-they've all been designed to make you repeatedly use them and check back in," says Levi Felix, the CEO of Digital Detox, a tech-free wellness retreat in Northern California. "FarmVille was engineered to keep you at your computer." (After all, if you miss a specific window to harvest your crops, they die.) When you keep in mind that the technology is designed to hold you hostage, you might be motivated to set time limits. (Think of it as buying a snack-size bag of chips instead of the party-size.)

Implement Rules

Vow here and now to stay off social media during meals, when commuting, and when you're in the bathroom or in bed.

Buy an Alarm Clock

If you use your phone as an alarm, the first thing you'll do each day is stare into that screen.

Sign Off for a Weekend

A two-day respite isn't enough to cure you of your habit. You'll still be anxious when you return to the onslaught of electronic messages, says Larry Rosen, Ph.D., the author of iDisorder ($16, amazon.com). But a little time away from the screen reminds you how nice life is sans status updates. Taking a break unlocks creativity. "When distractions disappear, ideas come," says Louise Gillespie-Smith, the founder of Create Yourself, a life-coaching company in the United Kingdom.

Check With Purpose

Most of us wander onto social media aimlessly-usually when we're bored. To cut back, set a higher bar for logging on. Ask yourself, Do I have a specific, positive reason for this? If you can't come up with one (say, wanting to see a relative's wedding photos), resist the urge and do something that will boost your mood, like calling a friend or diving into an engaging book.

Be a Tough Editor

Before you post a status update or a photo, question your motive: Are you just trying to prove that you're having a good time? Is this the fourteenth picture of your baby that you've posted this week? If the answer is yes, try chatting with a friend or texting the picture to your mom. You could also jot down your thoughts in a notebook, or if you're somewhere lovely, sketch the spot. "I call this intra-gramming," says Felix. "When you really process a place by staring at it, drawing it, and reflecting on it, you can create a long-term memory." Posting a photo has the opposite effect: You stop thinking about your experience and start contemplating other people's responses to it.

Respond Off-Line

Did Facebook just tell you it's your pal's birthday? Skip the "Happy, happy!" wall post and pick up the phone. If a friend just got engaged, resist the urge to send a tweet or a Facebook message and instead mail a card. Both these actions will be more meaningful to the recipient.

Alter Your Settings

Disable all alerts and delete addicting apps. (That means you, Words With Friends.) When you need to work, block the Internet temporarily using software like Freedom ($10, freedomapp.us) or Self Control (free, selfcontrolapp.com).

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Break Free From Your Social Media Addiction

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Understand That You're Being Played An embarrassingly heavy social-media habit isn't entirely your fault. "Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter-they've all been designed to make you repeatedly use them and check back in," says Levi Felix, the CEO of Digital Detox, a tech-free wellness retreat in Northern California. "FarmVille was engineered to keep you at your computer."

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96 Amazing Social Media Statistics and Facts | Brandwatch

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96 Amazing Social Media Statistics and Facts | Brandwatch

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It is a fact of the internet that every click, every view and every sign-up is recorded somewhere. Depending on your view, this is either very creepy or fantastically interesting. As we're data nerds here at Brandwatch we fall firmly in the second camp.

We come across all sorts of interesting stats about social media sites and users, so we've collated the best of them in this bumper facts list.

For the curious, these represent a series of numbers that boggle the mind, users counted in tens and hundreds of millions, and time in millions and billions of hours. For marketers, knowing the statistics behind the social networks can inform strategy and spend, allowing focused targeting of users.

Social media statistics

Broken down site by site, the latest numbers for social networks are as follows:

User numbers

Facebook: 1.71 billion users

LinkedIn: 450 million users

Social media business statistics

Content statistics

Social video statistics

Google statistics

Facebook statistics

Facebook accounts for 62% of social logins made by consumers to sign into the apps and websites of publishers and brands

If you'd like more facts, we've written a full post of Facebook Statistics

Twitter statistics
We've also published an entire post on Twitter Statistics
Youtube statistics
If you want more, head over to the full page of Youtube Statistics
Instagram statistics
We've written a full post of Instagram Statistics too!
Pinterest statistics

LinkedIn statistics

That's your fill of social media statistics for 2016, with just a tiny fraction of the weird and wonderful stats and facts available out there.

If you're looking for in-depth insights about your audience, brand or competitors, get in touch with us for a free demo, and see how Brandwatch Analytics can boost your social media strategy.

Find out more

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96 Amazing Social Media Statistics and Facts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It is a fact of the internet that every click, every view and every sign-up is recorded somewhere. Depending on your view, this is either very creepy or fantastically interesting. As we're data nerds here at Brandwatch we fall firmly in the second camp.

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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1. Common Craft
2.
3. Visual text
4. Quiz

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lgd1so4ZYiNJye8dt_WPOR79eIPdnt5j_058ahQMaoc/edit?ts=58fd5f7b

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Social media addiction

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-Research
-Interviewing
-Planning
-Create a kahoot

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-Visual text
-Animation (Stop motion)
-Interview (video)
-Speech
-Drama
-Common craft
-Quiz

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-Peer Pressure
-Social media addiction
-Global warming
-Shark fin Trade
-Human Rights

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-Art- Drawing, sketches